Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
By now, you have heard the news of the Westvale Golf Course owners deciding to end 70+ years as a staple of our community. Thank you to Gary Hewitt, Deb Anthony, and all those who have served us in a way that has created memories and moments that will be cherished. Please join me in a collective wish for them in their personal “next chapter”. Well done.
Similarly, you know that the District has signed a purchase agreement, with contingencies, that includes a pending public vote. The date for the vote is scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2023 and will be held in the WGHS Auditorium Lobby from 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
“Coffee and Conversation” sessions have been scheduled to discuss the pending land acquisition and related information: process, potential impact, a concept rendering, financial information, and anticipated next steps. Please see the dates, times, and locations below to choose a session that is convenient. We appreciate you completing a quick sign-up process so that we can be sure we have enough room (and enough coffee) for those interested.
Thank you for those attending the first session on Tuesday, September 26 at 3:00 p.m. The District learned earlier in the day that a media source advertised the session for 6:00 p.m., which was inaccurate. Although we did manage to get it corrected, please accept my apology as the error may have resulted in frustration.
Recently I have referenced a song from the musical “The Band’s Visit” music and lyrics by David Yazbek and book by Itamar Moses that says ““Nothing is as beautiful as something that you don't expect”. On the day of this writing, I had such an experience. When heading to a student event, I came across a few community members whom I had not previously met. They spoke of their experience and that of their family at West Genesee. The conversation was engaging with an exchange of ideas and respectful discourse. I couldn’t help but think of this as how it should be, and that I am fortunate and thankful for such interactions.
It is a great day to be a Wildcat!
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
Sign-Up For Coffee and Conversation About Pending Purchase of Property
At the Board of Education Meeting held on September 20, information about a pending purchase of property (Westvale Golf Course) by West Genesee Central School District was shared. Note: The purchase is contingent on approval via a public vote.
Coffee and Conversation Sessions
Please join us for a Coffee and Conversation session to discuss the upcoming land purchase. (If you would like to submit a question, please email it to publications@westgenesee.org at least one day prior to your chosen session.)
- Tuesday, September 26-3:00pm-HS Library-COMPLETED-Click here to view a PDF of the presentation presented at that session.
- Tuesday, October 10-8:00am-CMS LGI
- Tuesday, October 24-6:00pm-HS Library
- Wednesday, November 8-6:00pm-HS LGI
- Friday, November 17-1:00pm-HS Auditorium
- Tuesday, November 28-7:00pm-*HS Auditorium- *Community Forum –Land Purchase and Capital Project
Please click here to register for a Coffee and Conversation session.
For meetings occurring during school hours, please plan to check in at the school main entrance (where there will be a list of people registered).
Note: Parking at the high school during school hours may be challenging, so please either try to carpool and/or you may need to park near the shopping center.
Introducing our Director of Counseling and Student Services for Grade K-12
On May 17, 2023 Monica Canterino was appointed by the Board of Education to the position of Director of Counseling and Student Services for grades K-12. She started on July 1, 2023.
Canterino recently served in the District as an Administrative Intern and Counselor on Special Assignment. She had previously been a counselor in the District for twenty years assigned to the high school and then Camillus Middle School. Prior to working for West Genesee she was a counselor at Waterloo High School. She also has experience as a Liberty Partnership Intern at Central Square Middle School and a Career Counseling Intern for Career Services at SUNY Oswego.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from SUNY Plattsburgh, a Master of Science in Counseling Service from SUNY Oswego, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in School District Leadership from Le Moyne College.
Superintendent Bills shared, "Mrs. Canterino has had a powerful impact on students, families, and staff for years in West Genesee. This new role fit her impressive skill set of mental health supports, strong communication, insightful planning, and a perspective of systems that will reach across our UPK-12 population. She has already added value to the important and complex work of counseling by supporting professionals and students through her facilitation and planning services for students. With a history of high quality work, communication and collaboration will continue to be an asset in this new role."
On a personal note, she is a mother of Ava (22) and Carmen (21). She enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She is excited for this opportunity and looks forward to continuing her work with West Genesee students, families, and staff.
Paige's Pajamarama for Paige's Butterfly Run
Help us raise funds for Paige’s Butterfly Run and in our mission as part of the Star Alliance with Cicero-North Syracuse, Baldwinsville, and Jordan Elbridge to beat the Warrior Alliance of Liverpool, East Syracuse-Minoa, Fayetteville-Manlius, and Phoenix. GO STAR ALLIANCE!!
When: Friday, October 6, 2023
What: Students-Wear your PAJAMAS in honor of kids who have to wear theirs during treatment and bring a CASH DONATION. Donations will be taken at the doors Friday morning, and at link on flyer. Donations can also be made online-make sure to donate to the WG link (see QR code on flyer or click here).
Paige’s Mission: “Raising funds with integrity to benefit current and future pediatric cancer patients and their families in Central New York through the sponsorship of pediatric oncology research and patient programs at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse.”
Mark Your Calendars! WINTER 2023 – 2024 Sports Start Dates
- Modified 7/8/9 Girls Volleyball-10/30/23 (Winter 1)
- Modified 7/8/9 Boys Basketball-10/30/23 (Winter 1)
- JV & Varsity Winter Sports-11/13/23
- Modified: Boys 7/8 Swimming, Girls 7/8/9 Basketball, 7/8 Wrestling-1/8/24 (Winter 2)
Sign-ups/Registrations on the website at Sports Registration are available 30 days prior to the start date.
New Website and Mobile App
We have redesigned the West Genesee website and took into consideration the information shared in the results of the survey we distributed in June. It is now easier to find items directly related to your school from that school's homepage. It is also very mobile responsive and easy to find items from your phone.
In addition to the new website, we are also launching a new mobile phone app to communicate to students, parents, and community members about West Genesee news, upcoming events, and other important information. The West Genny app is available to download free from the Apple App store or the Google Play store. For more information about the mobile app, click here to view a video about the app.
This app is different from your ParentVUE app which you will continue to use to communicate with teachers, check on schedules, and other items that relate directly to your specific child(ren).
Register now for Adult Education Classes!!
Visit https://westgeneseecsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/adult-education now for complete course descriptions and to register online. Don't wait to register, class space is limited.
You will receive the Adult Education brochure in the September edition of The Communicator in your mailboxes the week of September 18.....but don't wait, register today!
Check out the return of your favorites as well as a few new and exciting classes!
Are you Receiving All of our Communications? Helpful Tips about the SchoolMessenger Communication System:
- To be sure that you are receiving all emails sent from the District/schools/teachers please periodically check your spam/junk/promotions folder for emails with @westgenesee.org, then mark that they are not spam/junk/promotions.
- To be sure that you are receiving text messages this year from WGCSD or your school(s) Text a "Y" or "Yes" to 67587.
If you still have questions about receiving emails and/or text from WGCSD please email them to publications@westgenesee.org.
WGCSD is Looking to Hire Transportation Staff
West Genesee CSD is looking to hire regular bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and substitute bus attendants.
Inquiries about these positions can be sent to Debbie Price at dprice@westgenesee.org.
Upcoming Events
- October 4, 2023 Board of Education Audit Committee Meeting-WGHS Library Classroom-5:30 p.m.
- October 4, 2023 Board of Education Meeting-WGHS Library-6:00 p.m.
- October 9, 2023 No School- Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day
- October 10, 2023 Coffee and Conversation--CMS LGI- 8:00 a.m.
- October 24, 2023 Coffee and Conversation -WGHS Library -6:00 p.m.